MHP investigating two deadly crashes during Independence Day Travel Period

The Mississippi Highway Patrol said there were two deadly crashes in the state during the Fourth of July Travel Enforcement Period.One of the fatalities happened just before 10 p.m. Friday on Highway 98 in Marion County.Troopers said a car traveling south on Ward Road collided with a pickup truck traveling west on Highway 98.The driver of the car, Leonard Landry, 46, of Slidell, LA was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger was being treated at a local hospital for serious injuries. MHP said the driver of the pickup truck was not injured. There was a second fatal crash Saturday on Independence Day, according to MHP.Troopers responded just after 9 p.m. on Highway 302 near Poplar Corner Road in DeSoto County.A car crashed into two pedestrians. James Taylor, 38, of Clarksdale, was pronounced dead at the scene. MHP said the second victim from Friars Point was taken to a hospital in Memphis, TN to be treated for serious injuries. The driver of the car was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries.During the holiday weekend, in addition to the two fatal crashes, MHP said they investigated 110 total crashes.Last Independence Day Holiday Travel Period, MHP said they investigated one fatal crash.